[CZ] Czech railways order 12 EffiShunter 300 shunting locomotives

After launching an international tender, the Czech national railways (České dráhy or ČD) have placed an order with CZ Loko for the delivery of twelve new 2-axle shunting locomotives. The new machines are cheaper, greener, lighter and more energy efficient compared to the 714 series machines they will replace.

ČD will use the new locomotives for shunting passenger trains in stations and depots in Bohumín, Olomouc, Hradec Králové, Pilsen, Brno and Prague. The new machines will be all be delivered in February 2019 and will be based on CZ Loko’s EffiShunter 300 model. CZ Loko presented this light 2-axle shunter during the InnoTrans 2014 trade fair in Berlin.

Drawing: CZ Loko

ČD will save on maintenance costs, fuel consumption will be reduced and noise and CO2 emissions will be lower compared to the 714s. The machines date from the 1970s and were modernized in the mid-1990s.

Caterpillar diesel engine
The new 794s will have a 328 kW Caterpillar C13 diesel engine. Their topspeed will be 60 km/h. A total weight of 36 tonnes, in combination with a diesel-electric AC / DC transmission drive train result in a starting tractive effort of 124 kN. The EffiShunter 300 is already certified for commercial operation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.